Part 21 (1/2)

These daunces were perform'd of yore By many worthy Elfes, Now if you will have any more Pray shake your heeles your selves.

”The next day being Innocents-day, it was expected, and partly determined by our selves, that the Tragedy of _Philomela_ should have been publickly acted, which (as wee thought) would well have fitted the day, by reason of the murder of Innocent Itis. But the carpenters being no way ready with the stage, or scaffolds (whereof notwithstanding some were made before Christmas), wee were constrained to deferre it till the nexte day, which was the 29th of December.

PHILOMELA.

Tereus, Rex Thraciae.

Progne, Regina, Uxor Terei, Eugenes, a consilijs Terei.

Phaulus, Seruus Terei, Tres Socii Terei a Cla.s.se, Ancilla Prognes.

Philomela, Soror Prognes Itis, Filius p.r.o.nges et Terei Ancilla Philomelae.

Faustulus, Pastor Regius.

Faustula, Pastoris Filia.

Chorus.

Terra Mare.

”The whole play was wel acted and wel liked.

”New-yeare's eve was wholly spent in preparation for the Prince's triumphs, so that nothing was done or expected that night.

”Next day in the morning (beeing New-yeare's-day) the Prince sent Mr.

Richard Swinnerton, one of the Squires of his body to Mr. President with a paire of gloves, charging him to say nothing but these two verses:

The Prince and his Councell, in signe of their loves, Present you, their President, with these paire of gloves.

”There was some what else written in the paper which covered them, but what it is uncertaine.

”At night were celebrated the Prince's triumphs, at which time onely and never before nor after he was carryed in full state from his pallace to the hall, where in the sight of the whole University a supplication was presented unto him by Time and seconded with a shew called _Times Complaint_. It was performed in manner and forme following:

TIME'S COMPLAINT.

Time.

Veritas, the Daughter of Time.

Opinion } Seducers of Veritas.

Error } Studioso, a Scholler.

Manco, a lame Souldiour.

Clinias, a poore Country-man.

Humphry Swallow, a drunken Cob Goodwife Spiggot, an Ale-wife.

Philonices, a rangling Lawyer.

Seruus Philonices.

Bellicoso, a Casheere Corporall.

PROLOGUE.[62]

”Worthelie heere wee bring you Time's Complaint Whom we have most just cause for to complaine of, For hee hath lent us such a little s.p.a.ce That what wee doe wants much of its true grace.